ONE of Greater Manchester's leading head teachers, Dame Jean Else, has been suspended from Whalley Range High School for Girls after a two-year investigation into the running of the school.

During the past nine years, Dame Jean has been praised for turning round the once failing school by improving results and attendance.

She was made a Dame in 2001 for her services to education.

But last night the council took over the running of the school, suspending Dame Jean and two other members of staff, while they investigate the findings in a draft report by the Audit Commission. Suspension is regarded as a neutral act.

The Audit Commission launched the inquiry into the running of the school two years ago, after three members of staff - two non-teaching and one teaching - made claims of unfair dismissal.

The inquiry also covered the general management of the school.

The claims had all been settled without liability by the local education authority.

But the complaints were reported to the Audit Commission, prompting an investigation into staffing, employment practices, interviews and contracts at the school.

When the investigation was revealed last year, Dame Jean said she was confident that it would vindicate her and her school.

Last week, the draft report from the Audit Commission was sent to the school and to the local education authority.

Sufficiently serious

And last night the council stepped in to suspend Dame Jean and two other members of staff, believed to be finance manager Maureen Ratchford, who is Dame Jean's sister, and director of governance Stewart Scott.

The issues raised in the Audit Commission's draft report covered a range of subjects about the governance of the school which was sufficiently serious for the council to have to take action.

Manchester's chief education officer Mick Waters said: "Manchester City Council has taken steps, in the public interest, to withdraw management delegation from the school with immediate effect.

"All appropriate arrangements for the effective management of the school have been put in place and an investigation into issues arising from the report has been launched. The education of the children is of paramount concern and we will do everything in our power to avoid disruption. Steps have been taken to notify parents and we will be keeping them informed throughout this process. It would not be appropriate to make any further comments until the investigation is complete."

Dame Jean took over the running of the school nine years ago, when there were only 766 pupils on the register, with 23 in the sixth form.

At that time only 16 per cent passed five or more A*-C grade GCSEs and truancy rates were so high that one in four regularly failed to turn up for lessons. Now the school has almost 2,000 pupils, a thriving sixth form and in 2003 - the latest figures published by the government - 46 per cent of youngsters achieved five or more high grade GCSEs.

Earlier today, a spokesman for the Audit Commission confirmed that a draft report had been sent to the school and to the local education authority. But she stressed this was a draft and not a finalised document.